Dual role of microparticles in synergistic cavitation–particle erosion: Modeling and experiments

Abstract The synergy between cavitation erosion and solid particle erosion fascinates tribologists owing to the contradicting roles of microparticles in aggravating or alleviating erosion. Based on an effective-medium approach, we develop a theoretical model to predict synergistic erosion, which incorporates the influence of suspension viscosity on bubble/particle dynamics and the impact energy of erosive particles. The model was experimentally validated, with strong agreement between the model predictions and experimental results. Further analysis shows that the viscous effect of silt-sized particles (STPs, 50 μm). The critical sand-to-silt ratio—the SDP/STP ratio that results in the same material removal as that in the solids-free case—is found to be a key parameter in the prediction of the synergistic erosion. The model embodies the opposing effects of microparticles on the cavitation erosion, and shows promise for erosion prediction and prevention.